The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has impounded a truck carrying 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by NSCDC National Public Relations Officer (NPRO), Afolabi Babawale, on Monday in Abuja.
Babawale explained that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGS SIS) acted on directives to curb pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal petroleum dealings in the Niger Delta.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the CGS SIS swiftly intercepted a long caravan truck with an in-built tank, fully loaded with stolen crude oil,” he said.
The truck was reportedly spotted in transit around the Eleme flyover in Elelewon, Port Harcourt, and was immediately impounded.
Babawale quoted the Squad Commander, AS Dandaura, who revealed that operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene.
*“Upon arrival, our team seized a red-head, navy-blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY, fully loaded with crude oil siphoned from vandalised wellheads and destroyed pipelines.
“However, the truck’s occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting security operatives,”* he said.
The seized truck and its contents have been confiscated as part of an ongoing investigation to apprehend those responsible for the economic sabotage.
Babawale further stated that upon completion of investigations, the NSCDC would seek a court order for the forfeiture of the truck and its contents, with proceeds from the sale remitted to the Proceeds of Crime Account (POCA).
The CGS SIS Commander reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling oil theft and ensuring that perpetrators and their sponsors face the full weight of the law.
(NAN)